At a glance

Your chance to

Ride along tranquil backroads

Cycle through tea estates up to Nurawa Eliya

Search for a Leopard in Yala National Park

At a glance

11 nights hotels, 2 nights guesthouses, all en suite A mixture of comfortable hotels with pools and 1or 2-star hotels Guesthouses are simple but in good locations along the cycle route, giving a real flavour of the country

Although a compact island, Sri Lanka is incredibly diverse. Exploring on two wheels is the best way to see this rural country and to experience the way of life of its friendly people. We travel from the ancient cities, and the fortress at Sigiriya, to the hill country towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya where the cooler temperatures and lush scenery make for a relaxing ride. In the south we visit Yala National Park, where we go in search of Leopard, before ending the trip on the beaches of the beautiful south coast. Most of the route is a continuous ride, and transfers are kept to a minimum.

Cycling profile

Daily distance in km/miles:

Day 2

52.0km/32.3miles

Day 3

73.0km/45.4miles

Day 4

80.0km/49.7miles

Day 5

53.0km/32.9miles

Day 7

82.0km/51.0miles

Day 8

66.0km/41.0miles

Day 9

102.0km/63.4miles

Day 10

32.0km/19.9miles

Day 11

60.0km/37.3miles

Number of days cycling: 10

Pace:

Terrain: Low altitude; 95% tarmac, 5% unsurfaced roads

Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Start Sigiriya.

The group flight from London arrives at Bandaranayake International Airport around lunchtime and we transfer to Sigiriya, (4 hours) where we stay for the next 2 nights. Land only clients can either meet at the start hotel or at the airport in time for the transfer.See more images and videos

2Day 2Ride to Dambulla cave temple; afternoon climb Sigiriya Rock.

After breakfast, we ride along gravel roads following an old irrigation canal to Dambulla, the 2nd century BC Buddhist cave temple. It is well worth the walk to view the five caves, which contain many ancient Buddha statues, some carved from the solid rock. Returning via the busy market town we take another quiet back road riding through chilli and rice fields, we end back at our hotel for lunch and a relaxing swim in the pool. In the late afternoon we climb the 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya to see the beautiful frescoes painted onto the rock face (not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo). The ruins of the palace on the summit are surpassed only by the magnificent aerial view of the surrounding jungle. Stay as long as you like, as it's only 10 minutes walk back to our hotel. Ride approx. 52km.

A long morning ride along a quiet back road which is part of the Sigiriya nature reserve, before joining the highway travelling east towards Polonnaruwa, riding all the way to our lunch stop and overnight stay. For those who feel they need a swim, the hotel also has a swimming pool, a pleasant place to spend the hot early afternoon. Later we tour the old ruined city of Polonnaruwa, which dates from the 10-13th centuries. Ride approx. 73km.See more images and videos

4Day 4Ride through foothills of spice growing region.

We follow the lake's man-made 6km dam and feeder canal to its source, the Amban Ganga River. The afternoon ride is flanked by the stunning Kalanduwa hills on one side and the borders of Wasgomuwa Wildlife Park on the other. As the jungle gives way to plantations, we enter the spice growing region of Sri Lanka. The night is spent in a family-run guest house with small cabanas dotted around the estate, it's basic but the home cooking in clay pots on wood fired stoves gives you the real flavour of Sri Lanka. If you would like to find out more about the spices used in the piquant Lankan currys, the owners can arrange a visit to one of the renowned spice gardens a short walk down the road. Ride approx. 80km.See more images and videos

5Day 5Ride to Kandy.

Today is tougher as we head for the hills and Kandy, the spiritual and cultural capital of the hill country. Those who feel like an easy day can jump onto the bus for the 50km trip to Kandy, while the rest of us pedal away, riding through the Moorish town of Matale. Its inhabitants, descendants from Arab spice traders, still control most of the spice market, which is a good place to pick some freshly ground curry powder of your own. We may have to transfer the last few km to avoid traffic, as Kandy's roads are as old as the city. Surrounded by hills, the town is centreed around a small lake and the Temple of the Tooth. The afternoon is free to wander through the streets and markets. Ride approx. 53kmSee more images and videos

6Day 6Free day in Kandy.

A free day in Kandy to explore the town. Kandy has many interesting attractions including the wonderful Botanical Gardens, the famous Temple of the Tooth, and streets lined with interesting curio shops, while the surrounding hills are dotted with wonderful temples.

For anyone who doesn't do hills, we strongly recommend the train ride to Nuwara Eliya, the highest point on the island! For those who feel like a challenge, it's 82km, climbing up to 2000m above sea level to reach the highest and most favoured Hill Station. For the first part of the ride we take the old road, a far more pleasant route, and one of the few places where you see terraced paddy fields. Beyond the paddy fields is tea country and the area is reputed to produce the finest teas on the island. Ride approx. 82km.See more images and videos

8Day 8Hill country ride to Ella.

In the morning we visit a tea factory on the edge of the town, and then cycle through hilly country towards Ella, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant and later tea in Bandarawella, a trading centre where exotic fruits from the east coast are traded for hill-country vegetables. Arriving in the late afternoon, we watch the sunset from the famous view point Ella Gap. On a clear day you can see the coast shimmering in the distance. Ride approx. 66kmSee more images and videos

9Day 9Descent of 1000m, stopping at the impressive rock-cut Buddha statues at Buduruvagela; to Tissamaharama.

Descending 1000m we leave the breathtaking scenery of Uva Province for the gentle rolling hills of the dry zone, stopping at the impressive rock-cut Buddha Statues at Buduruvagala. The giant 15m rock carving of Buddha is flanked by small figures depicting his helpers and a very rare image of Maitreya, the future Buddha, which dates from the 10th Century. The tranquillity of the place is enhanced by the lotus-covered lake; on whose banks we can enjoy some fresh fruit before riding on to lunch. Here we can relax from the heat of the day, before the final 30km to Tissamaharama, the capital of the old Ruhuna Kingdom. Ride approx 102km.See more images and videos

In the morning we cycle to Kataragama temple, which lies 16km northeast of Tissa. People of all faiths come to seek favour with the god Skanda, who is reputed to restore people's health. The colourful and noisy pooja is always busy, with thousands of pilgrims during the festival season, July - August. Tissa is close to Yala National Park, the best park in Sri Lanka to see Leopard. After lunch we have a safari in the park, when we may see elephant, deer, wild boar, sloth bear, asian jackal, and lots of birdlife and if very lucky a leopard. We return to Tissa for the night. (Please note that the sanctuary may be closed for 4-6 weeks from September to October allowing the park authorities to check the animals. We therefore go to an alternative area close by, usually the Udawalawe National Park) Ride approx. 32kmSee more images and videos

11Day 11Ride through Bundala N.P. and the lagoon for spectacular birdlife; continue riding on coast to Hambantota; transfer to Ahangama.

Leaving early to avoid the heat of the dry zone, we ride along the boundary of Bundala Bird Sanctuary. During certain times of the year thousand of flamingoes can be seen wading in the brackish shallows, eyed up by crocodiles, basking in the early morning sun. After 25km we hit the main road for the final 30km to Hambantota, a series of sandy bays fanning out from this typical coastal town. Transfer from Hambantota to Ahangama by coach. For the next 2 nights we stay in Ahangama.See more images and videos

12Day 12Free day on beach; optional ride to Koggala.

Relax at the hotel or join a late morning ride along rural roads to Wandurugama, a small rural village before returning via Koggala Lake and back to the hotel and the end of our riding. Afternoon is free to explore the beach area or swim and laze by the pool, late afternoon the stilt fishers climb their poles to catch a few bites for the supper, meanwhile we can enjoy some sun-downers followed by an evening seafood BBQ at the hotel. From November to April you can also go whale watching off Dondra head, near Mirissa, which is one of the best places in the world for seeing blue and sperm whales. Huge pods of dolphins are also often seen accompanying the boats.

Leaving mid morning, we will stop to visit Galle. The Old Dutch fort was built in 1663 after the Dutch took the island from the Portuguese. The old ramparts and small back streets bring alive some of the history of the fight for colonial domination of this prized island. You're free to find your own lunch, meeting back at the bus at 2.30pm for the 2hr drive to Colombo, arriving late afternoon. The rest of the day is free to relax by the pool or shop along the main street. For the last evening meal we can choose from one of the many restaurants in Colombo.See more images and videos

14Day 14End Colombo.

If you are travelling on the group flight we will have a morning transfer to the airport for the daytime flight to London. The arrangements for those not flying with the group end after check out.See more images and videos

Your images

Guided Group

This is a small group guided holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are moderately fit and have an interest in remote or challenging environments. Some previous experience is required for activity based trips.

What's included

What's included

All breakfasts and 10 lunches

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

What's not included

Travel insurance

Bike hire (available locally from GBP125 - paid on booking)

Single accommodation (available on request)

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Hotels & Guesthouses

You will spend 11 nights in hotels and 2 nights in guesthouses, all rooms en suite. You will stay in a mixture of comfortable 1 or 2 star hotels with pools. Guesthouses are simple but in good locations along the cycle route, giving a real flavour of the country.

A single supplement is available throughout this trip from £315 and from £475 for premium departures.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
A visa (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is required if you are British and for most other nationalities. If you do not hold a British passport, please check the visa requirements with your local Sri Lankan Embassy or the ETA website www.eta.gov.lk. Passengers should also be aware of local laws and customs in Sri Lanka (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka/local-laws-and-customs). The mistreatment of Buddhist images and artefacts is an offence; please note that people have been refused entry to Sri Lanka because of visible tattoos of Buddha.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Holiday style

Average daily distance: 75 km (47m)
No. of days cycling: 10
Vehicle Support: 100%
Terrain and route: 95% tarmac, 5% unsurfaced road. Terrain is hilly, particularly around Nurawa Eliya and the hill country, but support vehicle available if required. Routes mostly follow quiet backroads with occasional unsurfaced sections which may be rough in places. Rides are designed to run door-to-door without transfers.
Keeping to the backroads means that there is less traffic but it will become busier when approaching towns.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

Because of its location near the equator, Sri Lanka has a hot and humid climate. At the higher elevations, however, the climate is cool; the humidity is relatively lower in the northern and central parts of the country. The average annual temperature is 32degC (90degCF) in the lowlands and 21degC (70degCF) in the higher mountainous regions, though it can get chilly in the hill country at night.

Rainfall is determined by seasonal and regional variations. The monsoon season in the south-west lasts from May to November, when the rainfall can be exceptionally heavy. In the northern dry zone, most of the annual precipitation, roughly 1,016 millimetres (about 40 inches) occurs during the monsoon season, which begins in the first week of November, though we do not really visit this region and so are largely unaffected by this monsoon. The hills and lowlands of the south-west section normally have some rainfall throughout the year, with the heaviest occurring in May and June and again in October and November.

Reviews & community

This was our 3rd Exodus trip and it exceeded all of our expectations I really do not think that any other trip would ever top the two weeks that we had in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan people are friendly and smiley, the countryside breathtaking and the wildlife is amazing.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Every day was full of new experiences and challenges but we loved the elephant orphanage and Lions rock. Our guide Suresh took us to a temple one evening were we made an offering to the Gods and were blessed by the holy man (for a safe journey) Suresh also took us to Little Adams Peak in Ella as the sun was going down which was amazing.

What did you think of your group leader?

Suresh our tour leader- what can I say words do not do justice to this lovely gentle man. Everything was planned to perfection, Suresh and his team are a credit to Exodus, they all went above and beyond their duties to ensure we had the holiday of a lifetime. Suresh organised many activities not listed in the trip notes and was at hand 24 hours a day should any problems arise. He has a great local knowledge which maximised our experience of Sri Lanka.Thank you Suresh, Sandy,Chamara, Amila and Upali for a fabulous 2 weeks we will never forget you all, such lovely people.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You do not need to be a hard core cyclist but get bike fit there are two tough days.This is a group holiday and we had brilliant travel companions who all gelled from day one. Go with an open mind and try everything have faith in your leader.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

There is nothing I would change about this trip the only problem we now have is finding another cycle trip to match this one!

Starting a travel career in his mid 20’s was the best decision Ian's ever made. Reaching Everest Base Camp, walking through the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu, watching Grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park and needing another holiday after a week at the Rio Carnival (!) are just some of his highlights. He has been on the Exodus Sales Team for over 8 years now, and is a cycling convert - who wants to be sat on a bus, when you can explore fantastic destinations on two wheels, or on foot?!

After a couple of backpacking trips to far flung places, the travel industry seemed the obvious path for Olly. Since joining Exodus, he's been fortunate enough to continue his travels on 'work' trips as often as possible. Thanks to Exodus he's developed a passion for trekking, and has been sent up Mont Blanc, Mt Toubkal, Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Stok Kangri, Mt Triglav, and the Inca Trail. He now resides in the Sales team.

Questions about your trip

Do I need to take water purification tablets?

No, there is plenty of bottled water available daily and soft drinks can also be bought at every stop.

Ian Langford - Sales

What is the standard of hotels like in Sri Lanka?

All hotels have en suite bathrooms and towels are always provided as well. The standard and décor depends on whether it is “comfortable”, “standard” or “basic” hotel but they are all perfectly fine. The “basic” ones may not have internet access or 24hour reception but they will feel more authentic and local!

Charlotte Taylor - Customer Operations

What clothing is most suitable when cycling around the Indian subcontinent?

Rural people on our cycling routes dress conservatively and both men and women need to adhere so far as possible to their cultural norms to avoid unwanted disrespectful attention. In particular male and female cyclists should cover lycra shorts with baggy knee length shorts or calf length pedal pushers. Women should not wear short shorts, strappy, backless, plunging or figure hugging tops. Loose fitting T shirts or cycling tops are suitable. We also strongly recommend that clients bring cycling gloves, cycling shorts and helmet. There are a number of hotels where clothes can be washed and dried by the staff.

Will Shoubridge - Agency Sales

Can you always guarantee a bike available to hire locally?

‘In-country’ bike hire should be arranged at the time of booking, and the cost will be added to your invoice. Please note that there are a limited number of bikes available locally. We always have to match a person's height to the bike frame size and, as there are a limited amount of each size, we cannot always guarantee availability of the correct frame. Therefore it is recommended you add the local bike hire as early as possible.

Andy Ross - Product Manager

What do I do about money and what are local costs like in Sri Lanka?

In main towns, it is possible to withdraw money from an ATM. It is also possible to exchange Sterling and US Dollars in local exchange offices. I would suggest to take some GBP in cash and change most of it (if not all) at the airport in Colombo (in the arrivals hall). It is absolutely safe to carry cash around with you but you can also leave your passport and excess cash in a safe in your hotel room. Both food and drink prices are reasonable. I was on AIL in September 2008 and I spent £250.00 for food, drinks, gift shopping and tips.

Gabriela Krizanova - Sales

What kind of footwear is suitable for Sri Lanka?

It’s best to bring both light trainers and flip-flops or sandals in the dry season and something waterproof for the wet season. Some solid trainers should suffice.

Gabriela Krizanova - Sales

Sri Lanka articles

Staff member Gabriela Krizanova travelled out to Sri Lanka with Exodus and you can read her article here to get a personal viewpoint of the country

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